Sir Jonathan Ive to design one-of-a-kind Leica M rangefinder

Leica has announced that it is in discussions with Sir Jonathan Ive - chief designer at Apple - about designing a unique, one-of-a-kind version of its new M rangefinder. In a statement to the British Journal of Photography, Leica has confirmed that the intention is for the resulting camera to be auctioned for charity in summer 2013.

According to Leica, the unique, Ive-designed M rangefinder will be auctioned in summer 2013 with proceeds going to Reporters Without Borders, a charitable organization dedicated to fighting censorship and supporting journalists around the globe. Sir Jonathan Ive is one of the most well-known industrial designers in the world, and is responsible for the design of some of Apple's most iconic products, including the iMac and iPhone. What do you think an Ive-designed M will look like? Let us know in the comments.

'Leica Camera AG is currently in discussions with Sir Jonathan Ive, senior vice president of Industrial Design at Apple Inc., about designing a single example of the new Leica M. The auction will be organised by Bono, vocalist of the rock band U2. The proceeds from the auction will go to those whose work Leica particularly wants to support: reporters in parts of the world afflicted by war and crisis'.

I think it would still look very, very much like M. Maybe a bit thinner, or sexier. But that would compromise ergonomic, so I don't know.

I think the biggest change will be the internal machined components resulting in combining elements to reduce parts. Especially when only one will be made. Then again Leica Engineers went through that design process with MP. But I guess manufacturing tech had probably improved enough to revisit that again.

Uh, did most of you read 'the unique, Ive-designed M rangefinder will be auctioned in summer 2013'? That means there will be 1. This is not a consumer product, or a real product at all for that matter, its because they know they can combine Leica and Apple and got a ton of money from some rich person and put that money to charitable use rather than sitting in someone's stock portfolio, good for them - sure, it's probably a PR gimmick too, the end result is the same.

This will not destroy Leica design, revolutionize Leica design, revolutionize the industry, destroy the industry, or otherwise have much of an impact at all on Leica, Apple, the industry or the world in general. Quite complaining and go take some pictures.

It is interesting how many people reply to this news, without having actually read the news, and believing that Leica really is about to launch on the market a product designed by Ive. I'm the only one who finds it funny? :D

I am constantly amazed with the negative comments on the site. Wow. It just never ends. I think it's great to see companies value design and challenge themselves and others. Putting quality before quantity. I can't afford a lot of the products posted, but you can be sure photography wouldn't be what it is today without them.

I have yet to see any reasonable explanation of why there are so many vicious, retarded people posting regular comments on this website. No matter what the product, they have something rabidly negative to say about it. I wish they would all go somewhere else.

"any reasonable explanation of why there are so many vicious, retarded people posting regular comments"

Gen Y (and Z?)! This generation is full of narcissistic people with a strong sense of entitlement. They want the best and the world isn't good enough! Also, being always connected makes them readily share their thoughts. You should read the book, "Generation Me: Why Today's Young Americans Are More Confident, Assertive, Entitled--and More Miserable Than Ever Before" by Dr. Twenge .

I've seen a possible next gen AppLeica. A fresh look at a camera line badly in need of 21st century tech. Ive may start thinking about photographers instead of phonefotographers. Start with a Sigma Merrill imaging chip. But take it outside of Sigma's me too myopia.

Imagine being able to control aperture or lens angle by voice, or command "flash off" by saying it. Or invoke saved settings like "indoor sports" or "open shade" and have the camera bring up settings appropriate for the situation.

As long as we are adding features, local WiFi to a cell phone or laptop, or to a remote eyepiece clipped inside a pair of shades. How about eye controlled focus point, like Canon was able to do in the film era but seems unable to do now (hint, patents do expire)

Put all that in an Apple retail store where I could actually handle equipment before buying and after the sale get warranty and advice in support. As for the logo? A red circle with a byte out of the side ( C TM. Daniel

Sorry, I am not convinced the approach of Leica authorities about the designing of a new Leica M. The designing chance of Leica M is given to the new comers’ in the field rather than "Sir Jonathan Ive" but design must be accepted only according to the strict high level designing parameters. Basically I am a Graphic Designer but I have a trained eye regarding all the relevant fields of designing; unfortunately I have not got any chance in my life to express my creative abilities because I born in most ignorant part of the world ......! In short where world topmost designers end their design exercise I start thinking from there......! If Leica’s gives me a chance to design their new Leica M rangefinder, I assured that I will perform my duty with best of my competitive spirit, creative abilities, knowledge and believe.

I'm pretty much convinced you'd come up with a better design, but ofc Leica wouldn't know about that. I guess Leica's idea about this one of a kind camera is to cooperate with a famous (atm) designer so that they could sell it on auction for an obscene amount of cash. (my guess is about 100k at minimum) So, try to get hugely famous in the 1st place ;)

Yeah but your training or trained eye is limiting you in 2D space(monitor). The 3rd dimension is alien to ad graphic designers(fonts). It is kind of like a carpenter claiming he/she is able to design an architectural master piece, no?

Yeah but your training or trained eye is limiting you in 2D space(monitor). The 3rd dimension is alien to as graphic designers(fonts). It is kind of like a carpenter claiming he/she is able to design an architectural master piece, no?

>Yes right, I hope that Bonobo knows that Leica is well known to have >participated in war efforts and atrocities.

Actually that is not true, if you are referring to WWII. There is a full documentary available that chronicles how the Leitz family saved hundreds of Jews and other prosecuted individuals from the Nazis.

Will have non-removable battery, memory will be non-removable, will use a totally different unique plug, $50 adapter will be available. If held incorrectly will fail to work, in that case a case will be required. Some times will burn on people pocket. And will be manufactured in factory were people comit suicides. Will cost 2+ times more then normal product.

Apple as a company has zero value (to me), because I never bought a red cent worth of their product, and don't intend to do so ever in the future, either. There are a few others like me, believe it or not. :-)

it will also automatically download and play the right theme song for the scenery being shot, straight from itunes, and the charge will be automatically withdrawn from your account via a special on board chip.

An overrated designer of an overpriced, under-spec'ed product gets the chance to design for another overrated, overpriced brand with equally annoying gadget-collecting iFanb0is.

Also, crApple is "valued" that way because it is in the financial interests of the pump&dump stock market anal-ysts to have that stock priced that way. Same with the tech-ignorant mainstream media which have an advertising interest in hyping products from that techno-fascist, arrogant and deluded 2-bit company who can't stand 1-bit of competition.

Rich, it's only valuable because of the excellent marketing team there that created a huge cult following for it. Otherwise, what they have aren't anything groundbreaking. A couple of innovations here and there, then it's mostly patent trolling.

Vlampa,Just was wondering if you knew exactly what innovations they brought to the consumers, and any examples of paten trolling by Apple, that is if you understand the notion of a patent troll.....

Much of the PC technology you take for granted was first put to market by Apple, whether it be the mouse, usb, or the CD / DVD drive, windows interface, modern smartphone, to name a few. Apple may not have initially developed those products, but is was Apple who was able to put them into consumers had and change computing.

Don't want to buy Apple, fine; hate the walled Apple ecosystem, fine; hate Apple design, fine; but at least give the company the respect that it deserves and do some research before making such ridiculous statements.

It will be a revolutionary product. It will be the thinnest and lightest Leica M ever. You will notice a big difference to previous M cameras.The conventional approach to design a digital camera uses two chips to capture and to store the image. With the new Leica M capturing and storing will be combined onto a single chip.Along with the experience of actually using it, what will make the new Leica M so remarkable will be how it actually feels in your hand, the materials it will be made with, the remarkable precision it will be build with.Jonathan Ive will start with the design we really love but he will look way beyond what know to be possible.It will take all his learning, his best thinking to realize something so simple, so clear and yet so truely exraordinary.

And of course it comes with the much smaller, all digital lightning connecter.

I don't buy a lot of Apple stuff, just the Mac becasue I can never get Windows to work properly. But I do watch the videos this guy makes when they introduce a product and wow, does he know how pat himself on the back. Wow.

4. Rich/luxury items these days are usually bog standard equipment coated in gold, veneered in exotic wood, or studded with jewels. It's old style luxury mixed with modern technology and never works well. Give me a luxury camera that is truly different; flawless f/1.2 lenses, 20FPS frame rate, something that is a technical achievement. Not a name and an appearance.

Let's see: A one off, not really made to be used, more like a collectable for the super rich, like Gates, who once ensured that Apple survived, by donating a huge sum of money to Jobs & Apple (paid back eventually).

Probably a lot of white gold, with an Apple logo in silver, and Leica logo made from a ruby, and OIS, WiFi, and the Cloud! But probably a dry battery inside, as it has to be kept in a vault at all times! No need for recharging!

Seriously, a camera like that, with such a pedigree, made in 100 numbered copies, would be a grand collectable!

Yeah, everyone is high on the haterade here. It's really sad. And most of these haters probably don't give a cent to any charity, let alone to Reporters Without Borders. The only contribution these haters are contributing is pure petty vitriol. It's as if these people can't get through the day without spewing hate somewhere.

Many of us do. But we have the class & sense to not announce it to the entire world as if we are the Savior of Mankind like that arrogant, techno-fascist, self-deluded, mean, petty, lying founder of that iFruitcake company.

A designer camera was a bad move on Pentax' part but in this case it's the perfect camera brand for such a pairing.

Many buy Leica for the same reason they buy Apple... it's a fashion statement. That being the case, who would be a better choice for a designer Leica than Johnny?

Yes, Leica makes usually good cameras and excellent lenses and there are those who buy them for their quality but there are also many sheep who buy them simply because it makes a statement to those who have no red dot.

Most bizarre tech story this year. Apple first suing their supplier Samsung. And now getting the next hardware vendor into their desperate vision decline grip: Leica – the weak Barnack name misuser. My god. The now Leica with the Louis Vuitton boutique appeal of sensors, others had to design and to manufacture. Zero Leica contribution to anything today.

Apple and Leica – the total climax. I will short Apple stock in about six months. Leica in Wetzlar – forget it. You even cannot short this.

Wow, typical crApple iFruitcake iAnnoying iFanb0i automatically assuming everyone hating on crApple is using Android. You indeed deserve to pay more and line up for hours outside a store to get a mass-produced, consumer electronics gadget made in China.